Alcons Covers the Theater at Marientor Duisburg

	Interior of the Theater am Marientor in Duisburg, Germany

The Duisburg Theater am Marientor in Germany has experienced quite a bit in its comparatively short history -- it was built in 1995. Originally the home of the popular musical Les Misérables, it is now home to the Duisburg Philharmonic and today is mainly used for show, tour, and TV productions. The main hall has 1,546 seats, which are distributed approximately evenly over parquet and rank.

The aging public address system of the theater had become too complex and, above all, maintenance-intensive. The new sound system had to primarily be discreet and equally suitable for both voice and music transmission. After hearing an Alcons system, the decision had been made.

The new public address system consists of 18 Alcons LR14 pro-ribbon line array, six SR9 as nearfill and four BF362MKII for bass support, and three Sentinel S10. For installation and calibration of the Alcons system, Uwe Biesgen, an Alcons-experienced sound engineer, was called upon.

The Alcons LR14 is a passive two-way line source system. Thanks to Alcons' multi-patented midrange and high frequency pro-ribbon transducer technology, the LR14 -- like all Alcons pro-ribbon systems -- offers a completely linear response with excellent speech intelligibility and uncompressed tonal balance at any sound pressure level. The ultra-compact size combined with the lightweight neodymium drivers guarantees easy handling.

The operator of the Marientor Theater was anxious to place the new speakers as far out of sight as possible -- as high as possible, as deep as necessary. At the same time, as far as possible, direct sound should be generated below the rank. Precise calibration and appropriate curving allowed for both requirements and, in combination with the four SR9, achieved the best possible near-field transition to the PA. For this purpose loudspeakers in 90-degree and 120-degree configuration were used.

The four BF362 MK2 subwoofers were distributed evenly on stage and in the uppermost boxes. "Here it was important to note that the construction of the orchestra pit and the resulting first two rows resulted in a bass resonance in the range of 70Hz to 160Hz and 300Hz," explains Stefan Heynen, freelance sound engineer at the Theater am Marientor and owner of QSS Quality Sound Systems. By optimally calibrating, a solution could be found and an optimal sound coverage could be achieved throughout the room.

Heynen, who has been working regularly with the LR14 for several years, is still surprised by the efficiency of the comparatively small LR14. "The system's two 6.5" woofers effectively cover the lower mids and the bass region," he explains. Particularly impressive is "the experienced pressure through the balanced lower mids and lows, as well as the 'silky' resolution of the upper mid-range into the high frequency range."

Torsten Köppen, technical director of the Marientor Theater: "The Alcons system has met all our requirements, but it has also been and is very lucrative in terms of price. In addition, it is compatible with all other systems and can be easily extended; with visiting productions, it can also be quickly de-rigged and re-installed."

Heynen is certain: "The LR14 is the perfect system for this theater with its wide range of events."